Category: Necrology

Bert C. Shaposka, 82, of Youngstown, Ohio, formerly of California, Pa., died Saturday, Aug. 8, 2020. He was born Thursday, Jan. 20, 1938, in Brownsville, son of the late Alexander and Grace Hormell Shaposka. Mr. Shaposka was born with normal hearing and became deaf when he contracted spinal meningitis at the age of 8 in…

Paul Ballengee Gum Jr., 83, passed away on January 22, 2021. Preceded in death by his parents; infant daughter, Lois; and son, Paul Ballengee Gum III. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Lorella Jean (Henry) Gum; daughter, Lorie (Tom) Skelton; son, Percy (Dulcie) Gum; sister, Verla (Don) Majocha; nephew, Darrin (Kristen); niece,…

Ruth G. Cox, 73, of New Kensington, passed away Friday, Jan. 1, 2021, in her home, surrounded by her loving family. She was born Sept. 21, 1947, in Delaware, to the late John and Ruth F. Hetrick Cox. Ruth graduated from the Western PA School for the Deaf. She enjoyed art, decorating, and loved Christmas.…

Joann E. Dixon, 78, Roaring Spring, died Thursday morning at Conemaugh Nason Medical Center after a brief illness. She was born in Tyrone, daughter of the late Walter Milroy and Wilda (Houser) Hiney. On June 3, 1967, she married Durbin G. Dixon in Tyrone. Surviving are her husband; three sons: Doug G. Dixon of Pittsburgh,…

SMITH, Edward Ernest – age 74, of Flint Township, departed peacefully on October 23, 2020. A celebration of life service will be held at a later date. Edward was born on January 25, 1946 in Beaver Falls, PA, the son of Edward Y. and June Cook Smith. ]He graduated from Western Pennsylvania School for the…

Charles E. Eckenrod Jr., 66, of Sharon, passed away on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2020, at his residence. Born Feb. 5, 1954, in Houston, Texas, he was the son of the late Charles E. Sr. and Sarah A. (Thompson) Eckenrod. He married the former Deborah McBriar on July 11, 1977, and she survives at home. Charles…

William C. Smith, 74, of Ford City, died Saturday, September 26, 2020, in Allegheny Valley Hospital. Born March 31, 1946, in Kittanning, he was a son of the late Clayton and Myrna (Walthour) Smith. He was a 1964 graduate of Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf, where he played basketball and soccer.  After graduation, he…

Preceded in death by parents Fred and Marie (Hillegas) Hankinson, husband Paul Anthony, infant great grandson Ronin Gallagher, sisters Evelyn Grove and Delores Wagstaff and brother Robert. Survived by daughter Joyce Gallagher (Barry); grandsons name sake Paul Anthony Scaletta of Pittsburgh, Nicholas Scaletta (Catherine) of Gaithersburg, MD and Ben Gallagher (Emily) of Johnstown; great granddaughters…

Sharlene Fay Schmidt – Wolford – Haney of Independence, Missouri entered into eternal rest on 14 May, 2020. Born 14 Feb 1945 in North Belle Vernon, PA to Jacob Charles Schmidt, Jr. and Vera Lillian Hoffman, she attended Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf (Class of 1964), and Gallaudet College (Class of 1969). Sharlene married…